A laser markable rfid tag

Abstract

A laser markable RFID tag includes an RFID transponder and a laser markable layer. An article or packaging may include the laser markable RFID tag.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An RFID tag comprising:
 an RFID transponder; and   a laser markable layer.   
     
     
         17 . The RFID tag according to  claim 16 , wherein the laser markable layer includes a material that forms an irreversible laser marked image upon exposure to laser radiation. 
     
     
         18 . The RFID tag according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an RFID inlay;   an adhesive; and   a release liner.   
     
     
         19 . The RFID tag according to  claim 16 , further comprising a transparent polymeric support provided on the laser markable layer. 
     
     
         20 . The RFID tag according to  claim 16 , wherein the laser markable layer includes a dye or pigment that enhances contrast between a laser marked image and non-laser marked areas of the laser markable layer. 
     
     
         21 . The RFID tag according to  claim 20 , wherein the laser markable layer includes a white pigment. 
     
     
         22 . The RFID tag according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an additional laser markable layer; wherein   the laser markable layer and the additional laser markable layer form images having different colors from each other upon exposure to laser radiation.   
     
     
         23 . The RFID tag according to  claim 16 , wherein the laser markable layer includes a leuco dye, an optothermal converting agent, and a color developing agent or color developing agent precursor. 
     
     
         24 . An article or packaging comprising:
 the RFID tag according to  claim 16 .   
     
     
         25 . A method of laser marking an RFID tag comprising:
 exposing the RFID tag according to  claim 16  with a laser to form a laser marked image.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 applying the RFID tag to an article or packaging before the step of exposing the RFID tag with the laser.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the laser is a near infrared laser. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the laser marked image includes a 1D barcode or a 2D barcode. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising, before the step of exposing the RFID:
 reading and using information stored in the RFID transponder to form the laser marked image.   
     
     
         30 . A method of authenticating an article or packaging including the RFID tag according to  claim 16 , the method comprising:
 reading, by a digital imaging device, information contained in a laser marked image formed in the laser markable layer;   determining if the read information contains a command to read the RFID transponder; and   executing the command by reading the information contained in the RFID transponder.